Does anyone know what this means and what I should do?

@surgin1991 Hello, and welcome to our support group. It would help us to know what led to the scan, and about any lung conditions you may have.

We are not medical personnel, and do not diagnose, but it looks like you have some lung nodules, which can be an indication of ongoing or recent infection.

Gemini said:

In plain English, this is a description of findings on a chest CT scan. It describes how certain parts of the lungs look, usually indicating that there is something (like fluid, mucus, or inflammation) filling the small "twigs" of the lung's airway tree.

Here is a breakdown of what those specific terms mean:

1. Tree-in-bud Opacities
This is a classic radiology term. Imagine a tree in spring where the buds are just starting to pop out at the ends of the branches.

What it looks like: On a scan, it shows that the smallest airways (bronchioles) are plugged with something.

What it usually means: It is a very common sign of inflammation or infection. It’s frequently seen in cases of bronchitis, atypical pneumonia, or sometimes chronic conditions like bronchiectasis.

2. Scattered Peribronchial
Peribronchial: This means "around the bronchial tubes."

Scattered: It’s not one big solid mass; it’s dotted around in different spots, primarily in the Right Upper Lobe (RUL) and a little bit in the Left Upper Lobe (LUL).

3. Focal Nodules (6 mm)
Nodules: These are small "spots" or "buds" on the lung.

6 mm: For context, doctors usually start paying closer attention to nodules when they are larger than 6 mm. At exactly 6 mm, they are often considered "small" and typically require a follow-up scan in 6–12 months to make sure they aren't changing.

Focal: They are located in one specific area.

The "Big Picture"
When doctors see "tree-in-bud" patterns alongside small nodules, they are usually looking for an inflammatory process. Because it’s in the "upper lobes," they sometimes look for specific types of slow-growing infections (like mycobacterium) or simply a lingering case of aspiration or standard infection.

@sueinmn hi sue, so I had some chest discomfort for about 5 days before I went to the ER room and they found it by accident. Well okay so about a year ago i kinda had the same problem and the nodes were only 3mm in size. So they doubled in a year

@thomason wow thanks for the reply that helped me a lot. So if it is some kind of infection would they give me some medication to keep the infection out? And how worried should I be about the nodes?

@surgin1991 Hello. All you need to do is go on Gemini AI, or whichever you prefer--Chat GPT--and ask the "Mighty Oz." It can read Cat Scans, and X-rays too. Best wishes to you!

@surgin1991 Have you followed up with a pulmonologist? Do you have any lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia?
Small nodules usually don't cause symptoms unless they are caused by an infection, so it would be wise to follow up with a specialist to try to find the underlying problem. You don't want them to just throw antibiotics at the problem, because there are a number of bacteria and fungi that can invade our lungs, and each responds to different drugs. A doctor can get a sputum culture from you, which can be analyzed to see specifically what is going on.

@sueinmn so I'm trying to follow with a pulmonologist to get a more clear answer. The only thing I did have before was influenza A that's about it which lasted 2 weeks. But that was a year ago. How long do you think the infection lasts? If it is that? Sorry I'm asking you way to many questions lol I just have anxiety over this thing and talking to someone definitely makes it easier

@surgin1991 Influenza itself typically lasts a week or two. But, influenza can weaken your body so a secondary infection can invade. That infection can take hold in your lungs, appear to heal, but hide there until another cold, virus or stress lowers your body defenses again.
The fact that this occurred twice, a year apart, means it is time to learn what it is, because repeated infections, especially severe enough to form nodules, can cause cumulative damage over time.

Were you given an antibiotic to use at home? Did they test you for Covid, influenza, RSV, or strep? Do a lung function test and check for asthma? Do blood work to check for signs of infection like high White Blood Count?

So all my blood work is fine and no they haven't found anything like strep or anything else. I think this is something new. I don't smoke or anything I have no idea why it's happening honestly.